Tuning attachment for stringed instruments



June 22 1926.

W. J. PAVEK TUNING ATTACHMENT FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed August 10. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 22 1926.

W. J. PAVEK TUNING ATTACHMENT FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed August 10. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .11 wartimfizz; iizarm% Tri /z e 5 .265.

Patented June 22, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. PAVEK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TUNING ATTACHMENT FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed August 10, 1925.

tun]; .g-attaclunents for stringed instruments and has i'or its ob ect the provision oi an improved construction oi this character for delicately tuning one or more strings of the hustrument.

Other objects will appear hereii'ia tter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the head and neck portion of a violin equipped with an attachment embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same shown partially in section;

Fig. 3 an enlarged detail section taken substantially on line of Fig. 2;

i Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a modified form of construction.

-F 5 is a View illustrating another form of construction.

Fig. 6. isa sectional view of another modified form of my invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the bracket or plate included in my attachment.

The form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing comprises a metal plate 6 arranged to fit within the recess 7 in the head 8 of a violin. The plate 6 is provided with two spring clips 9 arranged to engage over and clamp the upper edge 01" the side 10 ot the head 8. The plate 6 is also provided with a stop lug 11 arranged to rest against the inner end 12 of the recess 7 so as to render the mounting of the plate (3 lirm on the head 8. Plate 6 is provided with two inwardly turned perforated lugs or cars 13 in which is mounted an adjusting screw 14 threaded in a block 15 slidable on plate 6. Block 15 is provided with a notch 16. adapted and arranged to engage the E-string 17 ot the violin.

By this arrangement the attachment may be readily attached to the head of a violin in position to facilitate the engagement with the E-string oi the violin. By adjusting the block 15 upwardly by means of the screw 14 the string 17 will be deflected as indicated by the dotted lines thus varying the tention and consequently effecting delicate Serial No. 49,175.

tuning of said string. In actual use the strings of the instrument are tuned in the usual way by means of the tuning pins 18. As is well known it is diflicnit to thus obtain delicate tuning of the E-string oi the violin but by means of the attachment specified and operated as indicated very delicate tuning of the E-string may be accomplished.

In the modified form of construction illustrated in Fig. 41; the plate 6 has stop lug 11 omitted therefrom and said plate is provided with a perforated extension; 19 adapted and arranged to engage the tuning pin 18 for the E-stringof the instrument and whereby a very secure and more permanent mounting will be afforded plate 6. Otherwise the construction and operation of the attachment is the same as that already described, and includes the spring clips 9 and the perforated lugs 13" with the adjusting screw therein.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 5 the plate 6 provided with a depending arm :30 having a sharpened: point 21 adapted to be pressed into the bottom of the head 8 thus affordinga secure and rigid mounting for the plate on the violin head. This form is otherwise also constructed similar to the preceding forms, including clips 9", lugs 13, etc.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 a further modified form of construction is illustrated, which form includes the plate or bracket 22 rovided with a spring clip 22 arrange to engage over and clamp the upper edge of the side 10 of the head 8. This plate 22 is also provided with 2 inwardly turned perforated ears or lugs 23 in which an adjusting screw 24. is rotatably mounted, and threaded in a block 25, which is slidably movable along plate 22. Said block is provided with a notch 26 at its lower side arranged to receive the E-string 17 of the violin. The screw 24 has a reduced neck 27 and a bevelled head 28 formed thereon, said neck being placeable in the slot 29 provided in the lower lug 23, and the bevelled part of said head being seated in achamfered or notched portion 30 at the inner end of said slot, thereby permitting the head 28 to be conveniently sprung into position in said notched portion 30 and also to be readily removable therefrom by slightly flexing the lower lug 23 and withdrawing the screw through the upper lug.

In this latter modified form of constructhe key which controls the string, considerably closer than in the preceding forms thereby producing a greater effect on the string, that is a greater tuning range than with the preceding forms. In this form the screw is also placed closer to the main or vertical part of the plate 22, and the notch 26 is placed on the outward side of the screw, thereby making it more convenient to mount the attarhn'ient on the violin and to place the string into the notch 26. In this form, it'urtheiniore the string is pressed downward by the block 25, into the position indicated by the dot and dash line in Fig. (5, instead of drawing the string upwardly, as in the preceding forms, thereby preventing the de vice, and especially the top of the screw from protruding to any extent upwardly above the upper edge of the side 10 of the violin.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A tuning attachment for stringed instruments comprising a plate having means thereon for securing the same to the head of a violin or the like; an adjusting screw on said plate parallel to one face thereof; and a block threaded on said screw and sliding against the adjacent face of said plate, said block being adapted and arranged to engage a string of a violin or the like, substantially described.

2. An attachment for stringed instruments comprising a plate provided at its top with downwardly turned spring lugs adapted to engage over the upper edge of the side of the head of a violin or the like; inwardly turned lugs at the top and bottom of said plate; an adjusting screw rotatably mounted in said inwardly turned lugs; and a block threaded on said screw and sliding against the adjacent side of said plate, substantially as described.

A tuning attachment for stringed instruments comprising a plate having means thereon for securing the same to the head of a violin or the like; an adjusting screw on said plate parallel to one face thereof; and a block threaded on said screw and sliding against the adjacent face of said plate, said block being adapted and arranged to engage a string of the violin or the like, said block being provided in its top with a notch for engagement with a string of the instru ment, substantially as described.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM J. PAVEK. 

